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About Illinois Valley news. (Cave City, Oregon) 1937-current | View Entire Issue (June 10, 2009)
Page 2 Illinois Valley News, Cave Junction, Ore. Wednesday, June 10, 2009 Again this year, no institution of higher education (or even lower education) felt the need to invite me as a commencement speaker. That seems like a wise deci- sion. Printed newspapers involving those of us in the Fourth Estate are not perceived of late as being on the cutting edge of today’s society. In fact, if I were either a high school or college graduate this year, entering the wonderful world of newsprint journalism likely would not be my first choice as a major or a career move. Although, there are the elite among us; those who subscribe, let us say, to newspapers including this one. In my case, newspapering has been my life’s work (officially) since 1963. In fact, whenever we travel, even if it’s simply to maybe Eureka, Yreka, Eugene, Bend or Salem, I am compelled to purchase the “local newspa- per.” Can’t help myself, it’s in my blood, along with sev- eral ounces of printer’s ink no doubt. Newsprint journalism has a long and mostly honor- able history. Like any vocation, avocation, industry and the like, bad apples turn up occasionally. But by and large, journalists strive to honorably bring the public the news, and some reporters have turned up some star- tling and intriguing items. Watergate and President Nixon for example. (Some younger folks out there probably will have to “Google” or otherwise check what this means.) As for me being a commencement speaker, I’d probably break into tears trying to bring a message to this year’s crop of graduates. For not only am I a senti- mental, nostalgic slob, I am an admitted technology dope. I’m lucky to be able to use a PC, what with having entered journalism when hot lead and Linotype ma- chines, manual typewriters and green eyeshades pre- vailed. See, there’s that nostalgia factor. But back to Doltish Tech; I don’t Twitter or text or tweet, except when imitating birds. I thought Blueberry, or whatever that fruit name is, had to do with toast and biscuits. I still feel goofy when I see people seemingly talking to themselves, only to discover they have some sort of device on one side of their face and they’re talk- ing to someone about something or somebody, usually having a “conversation” of no value. (My bias; sorry.) Now back to graduates, facing their share of the national debt, around half a million bucks each at this point. Unemployment is high, although not as major as during the Great Depression. Why it’s called great is a mystery to me. It should be called the Horrible Depres- sion or the Really Bad Depression; something like that. Our country is fighting two wars; some nations are fool- ing around with nuclear thingies; cities and counties are going bankrupt; home foreclosures are rampant. Etc. Life goes on. Graduates will find a way to not only survive, but thrive. We always do. illinois-valley-news.com (Editor’s Note: Views and commentary, including statements made as fact, are strictly those of the letter- writers.) * * * Typed, double-spaced letters are considered for publication. Hand-written letters that are double- spaced and legible also can be considered. “Thank you” submissions are not ac- cepted as letters. Carrying torch for IVFD From Ken LeGaux Selma We read and hear a lot of complaints about this area, but let me tell you of a very recent experience. We got a call about 4 a.m. from Sue Fasching that they had just called 911 -- our oldest son’s home at 6375 Lakeshore Drive was on fire. I jumped out of bed, hooked up my water wagon and was met at the house by Josephine County Undersheriff Don Fasching and Maintenance Battalion Chief Chris Sherman of I.V. Fire District. They were amazing, on the radio and directing heavy equipment, firefighting men and women. You would have seen poetry in motion. The fire- fighters performed like the U.S. Marine Corps. They responded very fast and did not stop for one minute. Just kept pumping from all sides, up and down, all around, and the professional crew was there with special life-saving gear, crawled into hell as we were not 100 percent sure that the whole family was not home. The whole firefighting crew worked as one magnifi- cent team. We thank God that the family was not home, but if they were in the house, I believe the firefighters would have been their only hope. The house was com- pletely lost, but the fire- fighting team was able to save the adjoining buildings. Folks need to remember something very important: the majority of the firefighters are volunteers, putting their very lives on the line for all of us without pay. We are so ap- preciative of this community, families, friends who also responded so fast with help and encouragement. If you have any negative feelings about I.V. Fire Dis- trict, I would say to go to a fire and stay there until they complete the job. You would definitely take on a better opinion of them if you were to stick around to the end and be thankful that you didn’t get the gut-wrenching feeling to find someone in there after the fire is out. I pray that it doesn’t happen to you. It’s an experience you never forget. Law enforcement and firefighters should be the very first and foremost for our tax dollar support. Wonderful I.V. firefighters From Sue Ellen Fasching Selma On May 31, about 3:45 a.m. my neighbor’s house was engulfed in flames. Within 10 minutes after the 911 call, the first Illinois Valley volunteer firefighters were on scene. Within 30 minutes there were more than seven fire trucks from the Illinois Valley, Rural/Metro Fire Dept. and Grants Pass Dept. of Public Safety. These men and women worked for more than four hours, risking their lives to save the property of others. I just wanted to say that I am proud to live in Illinois Valley knowing that these wonderful men and women are here taking care of us and our property. Hard times - small towns From Tom Ninow Cave Junction You all know what’s been going on with the econ- omy lately -- businesses that were never supposed to fail are gone. As it stands now, hundreds of thousands of people are out of work. But here in Cave Junc- tion, where unemployment has been above average for years, we hardly see anything different. People still drive their shiny vehicles through town to the coast every Fri- day night and back again on Sunday afternoon. The unemployed and the homeless still wander around town -- looking -- looking everywhere, perhaps for some treasure to enhance their lives. Businesses are still open, the parking lots are full, all is normal -- or is it? News media report that the North Koreans now have that atomic bomb that they swore they were not building, and a missile delivery system to go with it. Our country is in debt to record levels, and going deeper each day. Our president is working hard to stabilize the economy, but despite his best efforts Gen- eral Motors, the company whose president said some years ago, “What’s good for General Motors is good for (Continued on page 3) Saturday, June 13, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. $5 (includes soup refills) Lots of Choices Take-out Available Immanuel United Methodist Church 200 W. Watkins St., CJ Illinois Valley Little League BIG EVENT FUND-RAISER Sunday, June 14, starting at 10 a.m., Jubilee Park • Car Wash • Bat-a-thon • BBQ • Band • Dunk Your Coach/Player Tank • Other Family Fun Games Please come support the youth of the Valley and enjoy some good, wholesome fun, food, and entertainment while getting your car washed. Providing A Positive Place For Kids OF THE ROGUE VALLEY ILLINOIS VALLEY BRANCH 2009 “Save Our Club” Sponsors Gold Level - "OHFM #BU[FS$POTUSVDUJPO4FSWJDFT #BU[FS'BNJMZ 3PCFSU#BSCBSB#FBO 'JSF.PVOUBJO(FNTBOE#FBET 4UVBSU$ISJT'SFFENBO %JBOO(JM(JMCFSUTPO #SJEHFWJFX8JOFSZ #PC-FMP,FSJWBO B TFS O 5BZMPST4BVTBHF $IVDL.BSJMZO5BZMPS P 4Q EBZ P U S LJE Silver Level - )FSP FUUF C B $BMMUPEBZBOECFDPNFBTQPOTPS GPS SSPX P N UP Bronze Level --FBEFSTIJQ Ron & Lavina Fonseca Champions - *OTQJSBUJPO *MMJOPJT7BMMFZ-JPOT$MVC Partners - )PQF *MMJOPJT7BMMFZ4FOJPS$FOUFS 40'$6 Supporters - %SFBN "NFSJDBO-FHJPO1PTU"VYJMJBSZ Robert & Debbie Bell 3JDIBSEBOE+PZDF#PPUIF Mike & Candyce House *MMJOPJT7BMMFZ2VJMUFST *MMJOPJT7BMMFZ$IBNCFS %POBOE,BUIMFFO.D-FOOBO 5IBOL:PV 'SPNUIF#PUUPNPG0VS)FBSUT 'PSNPSFJOGPSNBUJPODPOUBDU #PZTBOE(JSMT$MVCT *MMJOPJT7BMMFZ#SBODI 4DPUU5IPSOIJMM #PZT(JSMT$MVC#SBODI%JSFDUPS BU PS 10#PY $BWF+VODUJPO 03 XXXCHDSWDPNJMMJOPJTWBMMFZ ILLINOIS VALLEY KIDS 4QPOTPS4QPUMJHIU Thank you to all of our “Club Saving” 2008 Sponsors • Batzer Construction Services, Batzer Family • Robert & Barbara Bean • Robert & Debbie Bell • Richard & Joyce Boothe • Bridgeview Winery, Bob & Lelo Kerivan • Dave’s Outdoor Power Equipment • Ron & Lavina Fonseca • Fire Mountain Gems and Beads, Stuart & Chris Freedman • Good Shephard Lutheran Church • Allen & Kathy Hathaway • JO CO Parks Foundation (Pool Committee) • Harry & Janis Jourdan • Illinois Valley Lions Club • Illinois Valley Grange #370 • Lutheran Women of Illinois Valley • Mike & Candyce House • Miller’s Shady Oaks • Glen & Dulcie Moore • Harry & Lorraine Rich • Joseph & Mary Schiffiler • Shelagh Shafer • Southern Oregon Sanitation - Fahey Family • Taylor’s Sausage, Chuck & Marilyn Taylor • Thrivent Financial for Lutherans • Wild River Brewing & Pizza Upcoming Events! #*/(0BU "OOVBM8JOFNBLFST%JOOFS "VHVTU 0DUPCFS Vineyard & Winery Toll Free: (877) 273-4843 Phone: (541) 592-4688 4210 Holland Loop Rd. Cave Junction, OR 97523 For 30 years Bob and Lelo Kerivan have been part of the Illinois Valley. As the owners of Bridgeview Winery, they employ many members of our community. The Boys and Girls Club gives employees the opportunity for their children to participate in a healthy, supportive and safe environment after school. Bob and Lelo continuously support the Boys and Girls Club. Sponsoring the annual Winemaker’s Dinner each year at their winery and by participating in other fundraising events throughout the year. “It’s very important for us as employers that our employees’ children are taken care of -- so our employees can do their job without worrying about where their children are or where to pick them up after work. For that reason, I feel all employers should help support the Boys and Girls Club. There’s not much for kids to do out here and the Boys and Girls Club gives them somewhere to go.”
